Retired teacher Chris Starling shares a few of his favourite works of literature that inspired him as a linguaphile and educator. We hope Chris' book list inspires you to continue the conversation by sharing your favourite titles with your teaching community and in the comments section on the TESOL Pop website. KEY TALKING POINTS Discussion of "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" by Joan Didion: "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" is a collection of 1960s journalism by Joan Didion, offering a critical...

Founder of Charlie's Lessons shares three key questions to remember when choosing technology for your teaching context. KEY TALKING POINTS Core Set of Tools Charlie emphasises the significance of technology in his daily routine, relying heavily on the Google suite of apps for communication and organisation. He highlights the role of technology in facilitating communication with teachers, students, and school administrators. Integration of AI (Artificial Intelligence) The conversation shifts...

Writing Tutor and Coach, Paul Duke, shares what distinguishes a good piece of writing from a great one and how coaching can help learners become great writers. KEY TALKING POINTS Teaching vs. Tutoring vs. Coaching Paul explains the differences between teaching, tutoring, and coaching, emphasising the focus on introducing subject matter, improving existing skills, and achieving specific goals, respectively. Characteristics of Great Writing Paul highlights the importance of precision, clarity,...

Teacher Samvidha Srinath talks about using clips from popular TV shows in her classes, the benefits it brings to her teenage learners, and how she uses the material in class. KEY TALKING POINTS Advantages of Using Authentic Media: Samvidha explains how using clips from films and TV shows in the classroom motivates and engages students. Authentic material also exposes students to the target language and various topics covered in the media. Examples from Samvidha's classes, including the TV...

Founder of PolCa Languages, Ania Karwowska, discusses myths surrounding dyslexia and language learning. Ania draws from research to address three prevalent myths and what we can do instead to support learners. KEY TALKING POINTSMyth 1: Dyslexic-Friendly Fonts Ania debunks the idea that specific fonts are more accessible for dyslexic learners. She emphasises that dyslexia is a neurological condition and not a vision issue. Thus, alternative fonts do not effectively aid dyslexic learners in...

Teacher Educator Kate Semerenko talks about the important role learner feedback has in helping us develop our courses, materials and teaching practice. Kate shares how to gather feedback and how best to implement it. KEY TALKING POINTS Importance of Collecting Feedback Kate highlights the importance of collecting feedback from learners throughout the course rather than waiting until the end. She emphasises that gathering feedback helps in understanding learners’' needs, improving teaching...

Founder of Earn Learn Thrive, Rachael Roberts, discusses the nuances between freelancing and business ownership in education. With over 30 years of experience in the field, Rachael offers valuable insights for educators wanting to move from employment into business ownership. KEY TALKING POINTS Defining Freelancing vs. Business Ownership Rachael explores the distinction between freelancing and business ownership, emphasizing the importance of viewing oneself as a business owner regardless of...

Founder of English with Abigail, Abigail Fulbrook, shares insights into the online events she organises for learners and teachers of languages. Abigail talks about what inspired her to start hosting events, the benefits they offer, and tips on how to get involved. KEY TALKING POINTS Inspiring Events Abigail shares her motivation for organising online events to create space for people to meet and connect. She explains how the online events expanded to include work-along summits for teachers...

Nicola Prentis, founder of The Chilled Investor, shares three ways to start to grow our funds by exploring potential tax-free pensions, investments, and employer pension-matching options. This episode is not financial advice but educational tips and insights designed to help you build your financial literacy. KEY TALKING POINTS Why is Money Difficult to Discuss? Nicola delves into cultural and personal factors contributing to the discomfort around discussing finances, particularly in...

Teacher and founder of English with Amy Online talks about the different types of content she creates to promote her online teaching business and attract paying students. Whether you own an education business or want to create a community around your school, this episode with provide insight into the type of content you can create and best practices to keep in mind. KEY TALKING POINTS Content And Business Amy shares examples of the multi-media content she creates for social media and her...

Author Ian McMaster talks about common challenges international teams face and how taking time to reflect on critical incidents can improve teamwork. This episode is helpful whether you are part of an international teaching team or seek ways to develop better teamwork with your teenage or adult learners. KEY TALKING POINTS Common Challenges in Teams Language, culture, and remoteness are often perceived as major challenges. Ian emphasises that these factors might be overrated and explores...

This special episode for Season 7 features a narrative from educator David Stepanczuk, who shares his journey from the challenges of finding work in Japan to discovering the practice of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) for stress relief. In this episode, David shares: Discovering Forest Bathing: David recounts the pivotal moment during a trip to Nara Park, where the expansive forest and tame deer provided a sense of relaxation and rejuvenation. He later experienced the need for a break during a...

Expert in assisting freelance language teachers in building successful businesses, Ola Kowalska, tackles misconceptions about using social media in English Language Teaching (ELT). In this episode, Ola focuses on three key points: ✅ Foundations Over Instincts: Ola shares her journey, emphasising the significance of establishing relationships within the ELT community before diving into social media. Many teachers rush into social media without a clear target audience or specific offers,...

Author Gregory Diehl examines the challenges of teaching English for practical purposes versus test results. Gregory reflects on his experience and suggests how to engage and support teenage students in using English for authentic communication. In this episode, Gregory talks about: ✅ Realigning Teaching Goals: Gregory emphasizes connecting language learning to students' interests, not just test scores, for practical communication. ✅ Engaging Students: He advises making English relevant to...

Kyle Larson, a seasoned teacher and the founder of AIR Language, an English reading platform for secondary school students, shares the challenges he has faced in sourcing tailored texts and building a reading habit with learners. In this episode, Kyle talks about: ✅ Text Selection: Kyle emphasizes the importance of offering students choice in reading materials, catering to individual preferences to foster engagement. ✅ Supporting Struggling Students: He advocates for a personalised...

Organisational Coach Shane Leaning dispels common self-limiting beliefs that often deter educators from pursuing leadership roles. In this episode, Shane talks about: ✅ Leadership Realities: Shane challenges the misconception that leadership is solely about charisma, highlighting its multifaceted nature. ✅ Strengths and Weaknesses: Shane shares experiences, emphasizing the importance of leveraging strengths and seeking support for weaknesses in leadership styles. ✅ Transitioning to...

English teacher and fellow podcaster Tommy Bradford shares how he uses songs and music with adult language learners in his classes. In this episode, Tommy talks about: ✅ What inspired him to use music in his classes with his adult students ✅ Why it’s crucial to factor in learners’ level and interests when choosing songs ✅ Supporting learners in developing a deeper understanding of a song through guided research ✅ Three songs he frequently uses in classes, why he uses them and the...

Inclusive ELT Consultant Lottie Galpin talks about the importance of inclusive representation in teaching materials and suggests ways to make textbooks more inclusive. In this episode, Lottie talks about: ✅ The importance and impact inclusive representation can have on learners ✅ How to include teenage and adult learners in analysing existing materials ✅ How small adaptations, such as changing photos or names, can make a big difference ✅ Including learners by making tasks relatable...

Jennifer Murray, founder of Best Words Copywriting, discusses the key ingredients in planning and authoring great content. In this episode, Jennifer talks about: ✅ The purpose of content versus copy and why we need a combination of the two ✅ How a digital portfolio can benefit teachers, freelancers, and business owners ✅ The importance of knowing our audience, how we help them, and our unique selling point ✅ What we should keep in mind when deciding what to create, where to post, and...

Founder of Mooncake English, Jema Perry, talks about stages of child development and shares three recyclable games that we can use with our very young (ages 2-4) language learners. In this episode, Jema talks about: ✅ Motor skills and emotional regulation at this stage of child development ✅ How we can drill new words and phrases in a fun way using our voice and Total Physical Response (TPR) ✅ How to play the 'What's in my pocket’ game using flashcards and props ✅ How we can involve all...

Teacher Trainer and Educator Sarah Omar shares the story of her career in teaching so far and what motivated her to take a break. In this episode, Sarah talks about: ✅ How we can support our ongoing learning and build our network ✅ The value of building a professional development portfolio ✅ How setting personal learning goals can propel us forward ✅ Ways we can tackle self-doubt and uncertainty during a break To follow Sarah's story, connect with her on...

Business owner Rob Howard shares his experience and tips on teaching one-to-one English language classes. In this episode, Rob talks about: 1. Challenges we may encounter in moving from teaching groups to one-to-one 2. The multiple skills a one-to-one practitioner needs 3. The difference between teaching, facilitating and coaching 4. The value in using student-sourced materials to plan and deliver tailored lessons To learn more about Rob's work, visit his website here. Check out Rob's...

Renewable English Founder Harry Waters shares three fun and simple activities we can use in our face-to-face classes to help raise students' awareness about Climate Change. In this episode, Harry talks about: How we can connect the activities to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Activity 1: A Climate Board Race to engage learners in reviewing language Activity 2: A Snowball 'fight’ as a way to engage learners in writing and sharing Planet Pledges Activity 3: A Two-Minute...